widdowson



C. A. WIDDOWSON STRIP LIFT MECHANISM Feb. 14, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 23, 1955 CARL A W/DDOWSON ATTOENEYS Feb- 14, 1956 c. A. WIDDowsoN I 2,734,519

STRIP LIFT MECHANISM Filed May 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CARL A. w/DDowso/v BY E/CHE WA frs, 06 ero/v e Mf/VA/N Y was,

STRIP LIFT MECHANISM Carl A.. Widdowson, Vermilion, Ohio, assigner to Mclogll Company, Inc., Cleveland, Ghia, a corporation o no Application May 23, 1955, Serial No.510,181

7 Claims. (Cl. 134-433) This invention relates broadly to apparatus for pickling steel and more specifically to mechanism for lifting sheet steel strip stock into and out of a pickling bath and/or cleaning solution ofthe type employed in a continuous pickling or cleaning line.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a strip lifting device embodying an organization of Huid operated elevating units arranged for actuation in unison from a single point of control.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device in which the height of the device, in both its lowered and extended position, is less than that of other machines now in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of elevators arranged to accommodate the ready observation thereof by an operator standing at one end of the tank containing the pickling or cleaning solution.

Other objects and advantages more or less ancillary to the foregoing, and the manner in which all the various objects are realized, will appear in the following description, which considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, sets forth the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a view in perspective of one of the units of the improved strip lifting device; and

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the pipe lines and valves for the control of the 'uid operated elements of the assembly.

The pickling solution is retained in a rubber coated steel trough or tank 10 of rectangular form lined with masonry and preferably disposed above the ground level. The tank is provided with rubber coated cover plates throughout its length which are mounted on the ledge formed by the side walls of the tank. In a typical installation, the tank is approximately 320 feet long and about eight feet wide, though, these dimensions may vary in some plants according to the volume and character of the work being handled. One-end of the tank is provided with a coil supporting stand (not shown) and the opposed end thereof is equipped with a power driven reel to receive the strip stock after passing Vthrough the pickling bath. Since the coil supporting frame, reel and driving mechanism therefore form per se no part of the present invention, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary herein.

Referring to Fig. 1, the tank 10 is provided with a plurality of transversely disposed strip lifting mechanisms, each similar in structure and function to the other. It will be understood therefore, that the description of one of the units will suffice for all.

The side walls of the tank are bridged by channel irons 11 disposed in parallel relation with each other and .retained in xed position by channels 12 having the anges thereof afxed to the ends of the channels 11 superjacent the cover plates 13. The webs of one end of the channels 11 are fabricated with slots 14 for the reception of axle shafts 15 having rollers 16 mounted thereon to track Hee 2 within the channels. The outer ends of the shafts 15 are connected to the lower .ends of a pair of hinged lazy tong bars 17 and the opposed ends of the channels are drilled to receive stationary pivot shafts 18 for the lower ends 'of the ksecond bars of the lazy tongs. The upper ends of the bars 17 carry .a frame'19 formed of channel irons fabricated like the channels 11 with slots 20 in one end thereof for a shaft and roller assembly 21 and .a pair of xed pivots 22 like the base frame assembly.

The ends of the upper frame 19 and the ends of the channel irons 11 are provided with cross bars 23 pierced at the center thereof to receive lift rods 25. The lower ends 26 of the lift rods are bent normal to the stem thereof to protrude inwardly about Vtwo-thirds Vthe width of the tank when adjusted in their operative position. The upper ends ofthe rods 25 are aixed to lever arms 2S pivotally connected to a .drag link 29 through yokes 30.

'One of the arms protrudes beyond its yoke 30 and is pivotally connected to a piston rod 31 through a clevis 32 operatively mounted in a cylinder 33. The frame 19 is provided with a bridge member 34 for the support of a spring pressed piston in a cylinder 35 having the piston rod 36 thereof pivotally connected to a latch bar 37 fulcrumed on the frame 19. The latch bar is formed with a depending lug 38 adjacent the free end thereof having a tapered leading edge to override the axle 15 during the translation thereof and a shoulder 39 on the opposite face to abut the shafts 15 and restrain the return movement thereof until lifted by actuation of the piston in the cylinder assembly 35.

The webs of the channels 11 are drilled in the center thereof to receive a cross bar 40 having a clevis 41 pivotally mounted on the center thereof which in turn is connected to a piston rod k42 mounted in a cylinder 43. The cylinder is `formed with .pintles 44 on the side Wall thereof which are ful'crumed to vthe lazy tong bars 17 at the center thereof.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the cylinder operating mechanism comprises two independent `control units, each embodying a four-way solenoid valve; the first control set 50 being designed to operate the lifting frame 19 and locking mechanism therefor, and the second unit 51 being constructed to effectuate the rotation of the lift rods to facilitate their removal from the pickling solution. The Avalves .50 and 51 are connected 'to Aa vsource of fluid under pressure through the lines P and P1.

The strip lifting arms are normally suspended Vabove the pickling solution with the end portion 26 thereof folded back against the sidewalls of the tank, thus, when it is desired to adjust the machine to its operative position, the valve 50 is adjusted to admit pressure fluid to the line 54, and the 'flexible tube coupled with the lower end of the cylinder. As the fluid enters the cylinder it acts upon the lower face of the stationarypiston therein and effects the descent of the cylinder 43. The actuation thereof is, however, momentarily delayed in this stage of the operation by a spring loaded relief valve 55 which diverts the passage of fluid to the lifting cylinder until suflicient fluid has passedthrough 'a branch line 56 connected to .the forward end 'ofthe cylinder 35 to overcome the spring, retract the piston, 'effect the elevation of the latch .bar 37, and `thus release the engagement thereof with'theaxle v15. The relief valve'55 is also provided with a `check valve lto permit free return flow of fluid through .the lines 54-56. When the frame 19 is lowered, the valve 51 may be adjusted to admit pressure fluid .through the line `5'/ to the forward end of the cylinder 33 which will cause the rods 25 tobe rotated to position the ends 26 thereof under the submerged strip. While in this position, the valve 50 may be readjusted to admit pressure fluid into the line 58 and ilexible hose coupled with the top of the cylinder 43. As the fluid 3 enters the cylinder, it will act upon the upper face of the fixed piston and effect the elevation of the cylinder 43, the pintles 41 on the cylinder lifting the central fulcrum of the lazy tong bars and thus elevating the frame 19. While in this position, the strip will be lifted from the tank and suspended above the pickling solution. As the frame rises, the axle l5 will be drawn inwardly, the cam surface of the lug 38 lifting the bar until the shaft l5 passes thereunder and comes to rest behind the shoulder 39. The return movement of the lifting rods may be effected by lowering the frame 19 in the manner described above and adjusting the valve 51 to cause the pressure fluid to ow through the return line 59 connected with the rear end of the cylinder 33.

Although the foregoing description is necessarily of a detailed character, in order that the invention may be completely set forth, it is to be understod that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements of parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for lifting sheet steel strip stock from a pickling tank comprising spaced channel irons mounted transversely of said tank having slots in the webs of one end thereof, end members under said channels, shafts protruding through said slots, rollers on said shafts engaged with the flanged portions of said channels, lazy straps pivoted on said shafts and to said channel irons,

a frame carried by the other ends of said lazy straps embodying second channel irons having slots therein, shafts therein, rollers on said shafts engaged with the hanged portions of said frame channels, pivotal connection between said straps and said second named channels, end members uniting said second channels, hooked lift rods in said end members, a piston pivotally connected to the first named channels, a cylinder operatively connected therewith, pintles on said cylinder connected with the central portions of said lazy straps for elevating said frame, a second piston cylinder assembly carried by said frame channels parallel thereto and linkage intermediate the pistons of said last named cylinder and said lift rods for the rotation thereof.

2. Apparatus for lifting strip steel stock from a pickling tank comprising a frame mounted transverse the tank end members thereon, lazy straps pivotally mounted at one end to said frame and slidably connected to the frame at its opposite end, lift rods mounted in said end members, a piston rod pivoted to the lower frame, a cylinder operatively mounted thereon, pintles on said cylinder fulcrumed to the centers of said lazy straps, a second piston cylinder assembly carried by the upper frame in parallel relation thereto and linkage pivotally connected to the second piston cylinder assembly and to said lift rods for the rotative movement thereof.

3. Apparatus for lifting strip steel from a pickling tank comprising a rectangular structual steel frame mounted transverse the tank on the top thereof, a second rectangular frame disposed in superimposed relation therewith, lazy tong bars pivoted at one end to said frames and slidably connected to the frames at the other end, lift rod hooks in the end portions of said frame, a piston rod pivotally connected to the central portion of the first named frame, a cylinder operatively connected with said piston rod, pintles on said cylinder pivotally connected to the central portion of said lazy tong bars, a second cylinder mounted on said second frame in parallel relation therewith, a piston rod operatively connected with said second cylinder, an arm pivotally connected to said piston rod and one of said lift rod hooks and linkage uniting said lift rod hooks.

4. Apparatus for lifting steel strip stock from a pickling tank comprising a channel iron frame mounted on the top of the tank in transverse relation thereto, a second similar frame disposed in superimposed relation thereto, lazy tongs intermediate said frames for elevating the upper frame, hooked lift rods carried by the upper frame and guided for sliding movement in the rst named frame, a hydraulic cylinder carried by said lazy tongs, a piston in said cylinder pivotally connected to the first named frame and means for actuating said cylinder.

5. Apparatus for lifting steel strip stock from a pickling tank comprising a channel iron frame mounted on the top of the tank in transverse relation thereto, a second similar frame disposed in superimposed relation to the first frame, lazy tongs intermediate said frames for elevating the upper frame, a xed pivot on one end of said lazy tongs, a shaft slidable in a horizontal plane on the opposed end thereof, hooked lift rods carried by the upper frame and guided for vertical sliding movement in the first named frame, a hydraulic cylinder carried by said lazy tongs, a piston in said cylinder pivotally connected to the first named frame for raising and lowering said second frame, fluid means for actuating said cylinder, a second cylinder carried by said second frame, a piston therein, fluid means for actuating said piston and, a pivotal latch bar engageable with slidable shaft on the first named frame, coupled with the piston in said second named cylinder for lifting said latch.

6. Apparatus for lifting steel strip stock from a pickling tank comprising a channel iron frame mounted on the top of the tank in transverse relation thereto, a second similar frame disposed in superimposed relation to the first frame, lazy tongs intermediate said frames for elevating the upper frame, hooked lift rods carried by the upper frame and guided for sliding movement in the first named frame, a hydraulic cylinder carried by said lazy tongs, a piston in said cylinder pivotally connected to the first named frame, iiuid means for actuating said cylinder, a second cylinder on said second frame and linkage intermediate said second cylinder and said lift rods for the rotation thereof.

7. Apparatus for lifting steel strip stock from a pickling tank comprising a channel iron frame mounted on the top of the tank in transverse relation thereto, a second similar frame disposed in superimposed relation to the first frame, lazy tongs intermediate said frames for elevating the upper frame, a fixed pivot on one end of said lazy tongs, a slidable shaft on the opposed end thereof, hooked lift rods carried by the upper frame and guided for vertical sliding movement in the first named rame, a hydraulic cylinder carried by said lazy tongs, a piston in said cylinder pivotally connected to the first named frame, fluid means for actuating said cylinder and raising and lowering said second frame, a second cylinder carried by said second frame, a piston therein, fluid means for actuating said piston, a latch engageable with the slidable shaft of said lazy tongs connected to said piston, a third cylinder on the second frame, a piston therein, fluid means for actuating said piston and linkage coupled with the piston in said third named cylinder and with said hooked lift rods for rotating said rods into operative position under the strip stock when the second named frame is lowered.

References Cited in the file of' this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,765,023 McWane lune l7, 1930 1,956,231 Thomas Apr. 24, i934 2,350,496 Davis June 6, 1944 2,494,224 Benson Ian. l0, 1950, 

